The Adventurer (14 page)

At the chilling pronouncement, the older man’s complexion again faded to a pasty hue. Devon swallowed hard, then turned away, raking his hair. Over the years, he’d never once considered that the dangers he faced in his own career might also affect his father. It simply hadn’t occurred to him. Now the fear in Crandall’s eyes struck Devon like a bullet. For the first time in his life, he viewed himself through his father’s eyes and saw an arrogant young man, indifferent to himself and disregarding the concerns of those who were foolish enough to care.

And his father did care about him.

That alone was a stunning realization, one that left Devon numb and nearly speechless. Cooling his face with his hands, he gazed over his fingertips and saw the clock ticking on the wall. He spoke without turning. “I’m late for an appointment but tomorrow… maybe we could talk about this. ” The silence was deafening. Finally, there was a strained rumbling, the sound Crandall used to clear his throat. “

“All right, then. Tomorrow. “

Devon closed his eyes, took a deep breath and managed a curt nod.

Crandall’s voice stopped him at the doorway. “This appointment of yours.

Is it by any chance with Jessica? “

“No. Just some friends reminiscing about old times. “

“Oh. ” Crandall considered that for a moment. ” You know, son, Jessica is a fine woman. ” The pronouncement took Devon by surprise. “Yes, she is. ” ‘ After tucking his glasses into his shirt pocket, Crandall emitted a series of throaty rumbles, as though wanting to say something else but unable to articulate the words. Finally he gave up and reseated himself behind the desk. “Well then , have a nice time with your friends. ” “Thanks. ” Devon hesitated, suspecting that his father had been on the verge of offering information about Jessica To say that Devon was fascinated by Jessica Newcomb was an understatement. She was the most alluring woman he’d ever known and Devon was desperate to know everything about her. But the clock continued its relentless march. The Brotherhood was waiting.

Chapter Seven.

The steak house was busy but not crowded, with plenty of vacant tables scattered between cozy groups of diners. Ambience was muted, softened by warm candle sconces that cast golden light pools on the rustic pine walls. Most of the activity was focused around a massive circular bar which form cd the centerpiece of the room. Smiling servers floated between tables, offering customers unhurried attention to enhance the relaxing atmosphere. As Devon gazed around the dim dining area, a hostess appeared with several menus tucked demurely under her arm. “Good evening, sir. This way, please. ” The pleasant woman wound a path toward the secluded table where Roberto was waiting. When he saw Devon, he stood and flashed his trademark smile.

“ihola! IYS good to see you, mi herma no”

Grinning, Devon grasped the extended hand. “Hey, Bobby. ” After the perfunctory handshake, the friends embraced briefly and ended the greeting with affectionate shoulder slaps. As they seated themselves, Roberto spoke to the hostess. “We’ll order after Mr. McKay has arrived. ” The woman smiled an acknowledgement, discreetly melting into the shadows. The handsome Hispanic turned to Devon. “Larkin will be a few minutes late.

One of his group therapy patients had some kind of crisis. “

“Not serious, I hope. ” “He didn’t elaborate but I doubt it. He didn’t sound particularly concerned. ” Roberto leaned back with a smug expression. ” “Now when he gets here, be respectful. The man has a Ph. D.” after all, so be sure to call him Dr. McKay. “

“I thought Lark hated that title. “

“He does. ” A mischievous gleam danced in Roberto’s dark eyes. “It’ll drive him crazy. “

Devon shook his head. Nothing, it seemed, had changed over the years.

Since Larkin had always been the most sensitive member of the group, he’d always been the perfect foil for perpetual teasing and an ingenious assortment of practical jokes. Llooking back, it seemed a cruel irony that his closest friends had provided such constant aggravation. The adventure, however, had only served to fortify Larkin’s resolve In many ways, he was now the strongest of them all. Hooking one arm over the back of his chair, Devon stretched his lean legs beneath the table “The last time I irritated lark, he poured two fingers of Scotch down my shirt. ” ‘

“Ah. Then you definitely deserve a rematch. “

“Thanks, but I’ll pass. Feel free to go it alone, if you want to risk that slick set of threads. ” Devon eyed his friend’s immaculate business attire.

“I didn’t know the feds paid their prosecutors so well. “

Roberto shrugged off the praise. “They don’t. I take kickbacks. ” Devon laughed. Outrageous remarks had always been a Brotherhood tradition.

“Yeah, right. And I work for Saddam Hussein in my spare time. “

“As a matter of fact, I do recall hearing that you won the Pulitzer by threatening the selection committee with a SCLLD.” He aimed a playful punch at Devon’s bicep. “I’d offer congratulations but I know how pained you must be with your success. You’ve always considered the achievement of wealth as a betrayal of the soul. ” Amused by the reminder of his radical youth, Devon rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I’ve reconsidered that position Slightly. ” “idios me libre!” Roberto feigned horror. “This from a man who once donated his entire fortune to charity rather than risk materialistic contamination. “

“If you’re referring to the time you conned me out of my allowance-”

“No, no. ” Roberto protested with an insistent shake of his scrupulously groomed head. “Conned is such an indelicate word, my friend. I merely assisted your need to be generous” Devon regarded him with an indulgent smirk. “You always were full of crap.

That’s probably why you’re such a damned good lawyer. “

Roberto’s classic features stretched into the brilliant smile that caught most people off guard, drawing attention from the hidden darkness in those intense midnight eyes. Arroya was a fierce friend but he was also a ruthless enemy. Those who underestimated him once would never do so again. For those who crossed him, however, there would be no second chance. His vengeance was swift and merciless. Given the brutal environment in which he’d been raised Roberto might well have joined society’s dark side. That would have been a tragedy because Roberto Arroya was an intellectual genius, a man destined for greatness-either great good or great evil. Fortunately, the Brotherhood’s avenger had chosen the law as his sword. Roberto suddenly rose, gesturing toward the restaurant’s foyer. Devon turned and saw the hostess escorting a clean cut , bespectacled blonde dressed in casual tweed. The man was ten feet from their table before Devon realized who it was. He blinked in astonishment then pushed himself into a standing position. “My God, Lark, what in hell have you done to yourself? You look like a freaking banker. ” Larkin McKay adjusted his silver-rimmed glasses and regarded Devon coolly. “That reaction reflects a deep, psychological fear of intimacy and suppressed envy for those who are quite obviously better looking than you. ” ‘ Devon chuckled. “Hell, man, everyone’s better looking than me. ” “Then it’s no wonder you’re so repressed. ” Unable to maintain his haughty expression, Larkin’s eyes twinkled happily as he wrapped a firm arm around Devon’s shoulders’ You old war-horse. Damn. It’s good to see you. ” ‘ “You too, man. ” Devon settled back in his chair, studying Larkin’s strained features. It had been nearly three years since they’d seen each other and Devon was’ stunned by the change. Larkin, who’d always been chided for his pretty boy looks, now reflected each of his thirty-one years, and then some. The dignified glasses and silvery streaks in his surfer blond hair did, however, give him a distinguished demeanor befitting his profession. Considering the number of female heads turning when Larkin had walked through the room, it was evident that his new look was no less attractive to the opposite sex. Larkin hadn’t seemed to notice. There was an innate sadness in his eyes that touched Devon to the core, because he knew what had caused that sadness and it damn near broke his heart. Roberto turned to the new arrival, verbalizing Devon’s thoughts. “Are you going to see your kids for spring break? “

“That’s the plan. They’re flying in next Wednesday. ” Devon agreed.

“Make it three. “

“Flying in from where? ” Devon asked. After scooping up the menus, the waiter slid them a be “Indiana. ” Larkin made a production of smoothing a mused glance and left. Larkin issued a throaty chuckle. linen napkin across his lap. He cleared his throat. “They live ” The last time I saw that look, it was on the face of a red there now, with their mother and.. her husband. ” headed bully from Dorm B who stumbled into one of our A strained silence fell at the table Devon stared at theta-boiler room meetings. ” bluecloth for a moment, then looked up. ” I’m sorry it didn’t Although Devon hadn’t thought about that incident in work out between you and Bonnie. ” years, he remembered it well. Because each dormitory Larkin’s nonchalant shrug didn’t quite come off. “Things housed a dozen boys, the Brotherhood was always search happen I guess we just weren’t suited for each other. ” ing for secluded spots where they could gather to share their Devon and Roberto shared a telling look, but neither man private thoughts. The boiler room had been perfect, a dark spoke. The breakup of any marriage was tough. For Lar- , and spooky place declared off-limits by detention facility kin, who d idolized his wife and two young children, it had brass. No one ever went there. No one, that is, except the been doubly devastating. His own parents bitter divorce Brotherhood-and one nosy snitch who’d been spying on had been a particularly shattering experience, creating a se-them for weeks. ries of tragedies that had eventually led the traumatized “What was that kid’s name? ” Roberto asked of no one youngster to the hellish environment of Blackthorn Hall. As in particular. a child, Larkin had angrily vowed that his own kids, when It was Devon who answered. “I’m not sure, but we all he had them, would never have to suffer the pain of parents called him Howdy Doody because of his red hair and tal abandonment.

Once again life had spiraled beyond his control. And Roberto laughed.

“Right. And Tommy decided that was again, he needed his brothers. Devon reached out and took too long, so he shortened that to Doo-Doo-” one of Larkin’s hands. Roberto took the other before “Which, ” Larkin interjected, “was why the kid had it in clasping Devon’s free hand. Then, as they’d done un count-for us in the first place. That’s when Tommy concocted that able times over the past twenty years, they held up their devious scheme to lure him to the boiler room and conjoined fists in a circle of unity. ” One heart, one spirit, one vince poor old Doo-Doo that we were all sorcerers. ” mind, ” they murmured. “To the Brotherhood. ” Devon let out a delighted hoot. “I’ll never forget the look They were still connected like a six-point star and grin-on that kid’s face when he saw us circling a lighted candle grinning stupidly when the server’s discreet cough caught their wearing towels on our heads and chanting gobbledygook attention. “Are you gentlemen ready to order or would you about smiting enemies. ” prefer a few more minutes to, uh, practice your routine? “As I recall, he never came within spitting distance of any Roberto leaned back in his chair, absently brushing his of us from that day on. ” Roberto crossed his arms, leaning immaculate lapel. He smiled without apology. “I’ll have the on the table with an indulgent smile. ” You’ve got to hand top sirloin-medium-baked potato with extra sour cream, it to Tommy.

The guy was a born hustler. ” ranch dressing on the salad and coffee. “

“He always had an angle, ” Larkin murmured twirlin “Sounds good to me, ” Larkin said. his water glass. g The table fell silent as the wary waiter reappeared with a coffeepot. When they were alone again, the three men continued their reminiscing with renewed vigor, chuckling about all the havoc they’d caused with childish shenanigans that ran the gamut of silliness, from hiding live frogs in the salad bar to clogging dorm sinks with melted candle wax. Over the next hour they enjoyed good food and camaraderie with rapid-fire conversation. They reminisced, caught up on each other’s current lives and even had time to share a dream or two before Larkin glanced at his watch.

“It’s almost time, ” he said quietly.

A subdued mood rippled around the table as Roberto signaled the server and placed their final order. Devon somberly toyed with his coffee cup, staring into the murky liquid and recalling that the first time they’d celebrated Tommy’s birthday had been twenty years ago to the day. Two weeks after Tommy’s death, the Brotherhood survivors had sneaked off to meet in the dank boiler room of Blackthorn Hall. Devon and Larkin had arrived first. They’d laid their flashlights on the stained concrete floor, aiming the beams toward the spot that would be the center of their human circle. Larkin shrugged off his canvas backpack and pulled out a can of cola.

Devon frowned. “Only one can? “

“I only had two quarters. ” Larkin tossed the deflated pack aside, placed the soft drink in the center of the circle and sat cross-legged beside his flashlight. “One’ll be enough. Did you bring the cups? ” “Yeah. ” To prove that he’d completed his part of the assignment , Devon opened a squashed grocery bag and extracted the four foam cups he’d “liberated” from the administrative lounge. He placed the cups, along with a fat, half-burned candle, next to the soda can and squatted restlessly beside Larkin. “Where’s Bobby? ” “I dunno. ” Larkin squinted toward the dark hallway that led to the stairs.

“Sometimes kitchen duty runs late. “

Despite his churning stomach, Devon feigned a confident nod. Roberto’s contribution to the ceremony was the most crucial.. and the most dangerous. Since Roberto’s kitchen chores gave him access to what they needed, the assignment had initially made sense. Now Devon was having second thoughts. If Roberto got caught, there was little doubt that he’d be relegated to the Box for his crime. He was sickened by the thought of the Brotherhood’s youngest member enduring the torture of being locked in a concrete vault so small that standing was impossible and you could only sit with your knees pulled under your chin. No one was ever the same after the Box. Dqon certainly wasn’t. He’d never forget the cold, the bono-chilling cold, and the nauseating stench of those who’d been there before him. Now he had nightmares. Sometimes he’d wake up crying, screaming, with Lark and Bobby shaking him. They’d ask what was wrong. Devon wouldn’t tell them. He wouldn’t tell them about the Box, either. It was too scary to talk about.